2015 Chrysler 300 revealed: Large sedan facelifted

The updated 2015 Chrysler 300 has been revealed at the 2014 Los Angeles auto show.

The first facelift for this generation of the US-made large sedan that went on sale in 2012 introduces a range of changes, the most dramatic being the front-end styling which adopts a smoother look, new grille with broad winged Chrysler badge and bumper finish and lower air intake, as well as new LED lights. The rear gets new tail-light and bumper designs, too.

There have been changes under the bonnet including the fitment of a new eight-speed automatic gearbox for all 5.7-litre V8-powered models in the range. The new TorqueFlight transmission is claimed to offer “world-class shift quality, refinement, fuel efficiency and Sport mode”.

Chrysler says the 300S, 300C and new 300C Platinum models fitted with the 5.7-litre Hemi engine produce 270kW of power and 535Nm of torque. In Australia, Chrysler doesn’t offer any models with that engine – its high-performance model is the 6.4-litre SRT, and there have been no details of that variant revealed at this point in time.

Chrysler claims the 5.7-litre V8 model will sprint from 0-60 miles per hour (0-96km/h) in less than 6.0 seconds.

Changes inside the cabin include a standard 7.0-inch digital display screen for the driver as well as a new rotary dial gear selector and a new three-spoke steering wheel with larger controls. The new wheel can also be had with die-cast paddleshifters.

Chrysler claims the updated 300 Limited has new standard gear, including heated leather seats, Uconnect media system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and SiriusXM internet radio connectivity. Chrysler has also updated the media unit with voice-to-text messaging, new 3D navigation mapping, and the capability to utilise a data-ready SIM card as a WiFi hotspot.

The 300S now gains black accents, 20-inch wheels in Hyper Black, new “more athletically sculpted” side sills, new boot lid spoiler and beefed up 3.6-litre V6 engine with 223kW and 358Nm (up from 210kW/340Nm). There’s also a new Sport mode with speedier shifts (as quick as 250 milliseconds), and the company also claims that there have been improvements to fuel economy for the V6 models.

A new Sport button also changes steering resistance (for the new electric steering system) as well as sharpening up the throttle, engine and transmission calibration. All-wheel-drive models also get rear-biased torque delivery, though no AWD versions are sold in Australia.

The new flagship 300C Platinum (above) brings with it new items including quilted Nappa leather, hand-sanded wood, and a leather-wrapped console and dash.

Stay tuned for Australian details on the 2015 Chrysler 300 as they come to hand.